Chapter 2
The entire complex containing the waterbending academy was a marvelous construction, and to Katara it in many ways resembled a beautiful park. With its sprawling pools, intersecting channels and gushing fountains, it certainly provided plenty of water to practice the art of waterbending. A section of the academy was protected by a cleverly designed retractable roof, making sure that waterbending lessons could take place even in the foulest weather, alternatively serving to protect visitors from the heat of scorching Fire Nation summers. Katara was actually impressed that Zuko had lent such a generous amount of precious real estate to be used this way, but since it benefitted her compatriots, she wasn't going to complain.
Aang would love this place, she thought with a touch of fondness, briefly and wistfully wondering what her boyfriend was up to. Well, it's not really a mystery is it, by now I have a fairly good idea what this Air Acolyte tutoring is all about. Suddenly, Katara could almost hear the irritating sound of off-key pan flutes and cymbals, with her mind's eye watching plates of bland tofu and even blander vegetables being passed among the eager acolytes. Oh yes... I guess I would make a terrible Air Acolyte, some things of the nomad culture just aren't all that appealing.
It wasn't as if she had much time for daydreaming, anyway, the academy had by now filled with a sizeable crowd, people of both Water Tribes, but also many curious Fire Nation citizens, interested in learning more about waterbending, something most of them had never seen in action. As Katara was walking the academy grounds, looking around wide-eyed, she seemed to attract attention everywhere she went. Both Water tribesmen and the Fire Nation folks approached her to express their gratitude. However, most of the questions posed to her still involved inquiries about Aang, his absence, his current whereabouts and latest exploits. Having answered the same questions for more than a dozen times, it began to irk Katara a little, and she had to summon all her willpower not to become snappish at some poor soul who meant no slight with their inquisitiveness.
Lovely to see you, Katara, glad you could come, now tell us all about Aang. We don't really care what you've been up to, but we'll bring our child to the academy tomorrow, could you teach him some waterbending please? Katara rolled her eyes at this general gist of conversations she'd been having for the past couple of hours. At least the last part flattered her, the parents were genuinely eager to secure her services and she quickly found herself overbooked for the next few days. But that's alright, isn't it? It's what I wanted, to stay busy and feel useful, she reminded herself, her mood definitely improving at that.
It was at this point that Katara noticed that a larger crowd was starting to form at the entrance into the academy. Curious, she began moving towards the commotion and as she approached, the crowds began to thin and part, revealing the reason for all the excitement. Katara let out a startled gasp as she suddenly realized someone very familiar was walking towards her, a young man with a distinctive scar on his face, wearing the impressive gold-trimmed black and flaming red robes of the Fire Lord.
"Katara of the Southern Water Tribe!" Zuko called out to her, unable to hide a smile. "I thought I spotted you in the crowd!"
"Fire Lord Zuko!" Katara cried, all but running up to her old arch nemesis turned loyal friend and wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug, one that was reciprocated without a delay. She pulled back moments later, blush warming her cheeks as she only now realized that they were in the middle of a very interested crowd of onlookers. "Oh... I believe I just broke the royal etiquette, didn't I?"
"Pfft," Zuko scowled. "You're one of the few who's allowed."
"I didn't expect you to come, nobody told me you would be making an appearance!" Katara exclaimed, taking a step back and giving Zuko a measuring stare. "And just look at you now, Zuko! When was the last time we met, it must have been more than a year ago. You were still hesitant, and those robes looked like they were two sizes too big for you! Not so anymore, you've really grown into the role so well!" It was the truth, as far as Katara was concerned, Zuko's stance and manner had changed considerably, there was a quiet, muted confidence about the way he carried himself, and overall, he cut the figure of quite the dashing Fire Lord.
"I... well, thank you," Zuko replied, looking rather surprised by the compliment. "And you look... great, as always," he offered a little awkwardly. A brief moment of silence set in before Zuko spoke up again. "I hadn't planned to attend, not really, so our meeting is completely by chance. But now that I am here, I fear my loyal subjects expect me to give a speech." The crowd began to chant at that, some having overheard the last part of the sentence.
"A Fire Lord Zuko speech, I can't wait," Katara smiled, her grin broadening when she saw Zuko wince at the comment.
"Right, time to take care of it," Zuko grumbled, about to turn away, but then turning back to her. "Katara? Please don't disappear in the crowd again. I'd like to speak with you afterwards."
"I'll be right here," Katara replied, her cheeks feeling slightly warmer than usual as she watched Zuko walk over to the nearby fountain and climb onto is edge, the two Kyoshi warriors never too far from the Fire Lord.
"Citizens of the Fire Nation! Our friends and allies of the Southern and Northern Water Tribes!" Zuko called out and the crowd fell silent instantly. Even his voice feels more confident... commanding, Katara remarked to herself. I wasn't sure he had it in him, but... I guess Zuko can be... inspiring?
"Today we have come here to celebrate the opening of this waterbending academy," Zuko began his speech. "Many of you Fire Nation citizens have only heard in passing of the art of waterbending. Many still disregard it as an inferior form of bending, believing that mastery of fire is superior. For most of my life, I foolishly believed that same. But today, amongst us, there stands someone who disregarded me of these silly notions. Before I had realized the folly of my father's ways, she and I fought on the opposing sides in the war, and time and time again, I found myself thwarted by her impressive skill of waterbending, not to mention her courage and bravery. I am, of course, speaking of Katara of the Southern Water Tribe," Fire Lord Zuko raised his voice, pointing directly at Katara, who unexpectedly found herself at the center of rapt attention and loud cheers.
"Her skill at waterbending was more than a match for my firebending, I am not too proud to admit it," Zuko continued. "But there is more to her skill than slamming her foes with water whips, pelting them with icicles and encasing them within blocks of ice. Katara possesses a skill that is rare even among waterbenders, that of being able to use her waterbending to heal. Not only did she once brought the Avatar back to life with her healing, she did the same to your Fire Lord." The cheers and applause reached a crescendo, leaving Katara standing there mortified and blushing deep red. "It's true. Without her help, I would not be standing here today. So make good use of Katara's presence in the capital, knowing her I am sure that she will be happy to help out all those who wish to study and learn."
"Lastly," Zuko called out to the crowd. "I hope that opening this academy will make one further step towards healing the scars of the war. Even if the scars inflicted by my predecessors are great and many, we must keep working towards peace and harmony between all nations, no matter how difficult it might be. I made a promise to the Avatar, and to all of you, to never stop working towards that goal, and I intend to keep my promise."
With those words, Zuko jumped down from the edge of the fountain, his eyes searching for Katara in the quickly onrushing crowd, the two Kyoshi warriors doing their best to safeguard the Fire Lord's passage and after a brief struggle through the loud and cheering crowd, he once more stood in Katara's presence. "That was... some speech," Katara managed, swallowing the lump of emotion that had formed in her throat.
"Well, I have you to thank," Zuko shrugged. Seeing Katara's surprised stare, he quickly moved to explain. "I honestly had no speech prepared. I didn't know you would be here, remember? But with you here, it was easy. I just had to speak the truth about what you did during the war."
"It was very flattering," Katara summoned a slightly embarrassed smile. "I don't think I have ever inspired a speech before."
"There's a first time for everything," Zuko smirked. "But I wanted to ask, why did nobody tell me ahead of time that you were coming? I would have organized a royal reception."
"I... just figured you would be busy," Katara shuffled uncomfortably. "I didn't want to impose on your hospitality."
"Wait, you're here alone?" Zuko blinked, appearing genuinely surprised. "Where's Aang? And your brother, where's Sokka?"
"They have their own affairs to attend to," Katara shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "No need to make a great deal out of it. We're not all attached at the hip, you know."
"I always thought you were," Zuko frowned, looking like he wanted to press the inquiry, but then dropping the matter. "But tell me, Katara, where are you staying? And for how long?" he asked.
"They offered me lodgings at the embassy," Katara replied. By now, the crowd was getting so close and becoming so loud that she had trouble hearing Zuko's voice. "As for how long... nothing is set in stone. They want me to stay as long as possible, I'm sure..."
"You can't stay at the embassy, Katara," Zuko shook his head firmly. "A distinguished guest and a personal friend of the Fire Lord staying at some dingy embassy quarters? Nonsense. I will have my servants prepare the guest chambers at the royal palace for the duration of your stay."
"Really, Zuko, you needn't bother..." Katara tried to protest, but Zuko would have none of it.
"I insist that you accept my offer, Katara," the young Fire Lord stared firmly into her eyes. "Unless you want to cause a diplomatic incident."
"Well, I certainly wouldn't want that," Katara sighed in acceptance.
"Then it is decided," Zuko rubbed his hands in excitement. "Also, this evening you will join me for dinner. I would like to catch up properly... preferably without dozens of people trying to shout over one another. Servants from the palace will arrive to escort you once it's time."
"I have not agreed to any of this, you know," Katara protested, even if she knew she was doing so purely for pretenses. After the lengthy travel, tackling the exhausting crowds throughout the day, a splendorous evening meal in the comforts of the royal palace sounded incredibly appealing.
"Oh, my apologies," Zuko shrugged. "I suppose we'll just cancel the whole thing then."
"Now, let's not be so hasty!" Katara quickly uttered, Zuko actually chuckling at her reaction. "Oh, fine... I'll be there, I promise," she eventually relented.
"Excellent," Zuko nodded in satisfaction, then glancing at the impatient crowd surrounding them. "But now, I believe it is time to make my royal escape. I will see you in the evening, Katara." Katara merely smiled faintly, watching as the two Kyoshi warriors skillfully maneuvered their way through the crowd towards the exit, leading the Fire Lord away in their wake.
With Zuko gone, Katara suddenly found herself the sole attention of the crowd, subjected to more and more questions about the Hundred Year War and her involvement with both the Avatar and Zuko. Katara did her best to answer the questions politely, but throughout the rest of the day her mind was fixed firmly on this unexpected encounter with Zuko.
Only when the crowds began to abate and the visitors started to leave, was Katara able to sit down on the edge of a remote fountain and try and gather her thoughts before the palace servants arrived to fetch her.
When was the last time Zuko and I saw each other? She idly wondered to herself. A year ago, maybe a little more than that? It's not that long, and yet it feels as if he has changed so much. Or... maybe he hasn't changed at all, but instead it's me, and I am noticing things about him that I hadn't noticed before? But no... just after he assumed the mantle of the Fire Lord, there was such hesitation and uncertainty to him, his every decision... and now, I don't see that about him anymore. It's all replaced by confidence and self-assuredness.
Regardless of which of her theories was correct, at the end of the day Katara was sure of only one thing. If Zuko had indeed changed since they had last met, she very much approved of the way he had changed.